Fire crews did not search mill where human remains were found as building was 'deemed unsafe'

A fire chief has explained why crews did not search a blaze-damaged mill where human remains were found two months later. An independent review will now be carried out into how the fire service managed the original incident in Oldham.

It is suspected that part of the now demolished building was being used as suspected cannabis farm, the Manchester Evening News understands.

Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service dealt with a huge blaze on May 7th at Bismark House Mill on Bower Street. But they have now admitted that no search of the premises was carried out.

This week Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident after the human remains were discovered, more than two months after the blaze ripped through the mill. It has been confirmed that remains relating to one person have so far been found at the mill. Police said they suspect the discovery of the body is connected to four missing Vietnamese nationals.

The force received a report about the missing people on Thursday, July 21 'via Vietnam'. Detectives are trying to contact their families. The discovery of the remains was made by demolition workers on Saturday.

The M.E.N understands that Greater Manchester Police are looking into the suspected cannabis farm as one line with specialist emergency services workers searching for the possibility of further bodies.

Asked why firefighters did not carry out a search, Leon Parkes, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: "Given the severity of the fire, and there being no information to indicate there were people inside, we did not undertake a search. Following the correct safety procedures, we could not risk sending firefighters into such an unsafe and unstable building."

Commenting on the original fire he